Fit For Life: Work(out) Smarter…

Saturday, November 15, 2014

Matt Espeut, GoLocalProv Health +Lifestyle Contributor

Do you log hours an hours of cardio per week? Are you eating nonfat processed foods? Are you sore for days after exercising? Do you train to total exhaustion? Are you starving yourself? Wasting money on gimmicks? This is most peoples’ interpretation of fitness. If you are doing these things and not making any gains or feeling worse, sore or relying on painkillers and anti-inflammatories to make it through the day, it’s time to change.

The answer can be as simple as eating quality whole foods and doing the proper amount of exercise. Fact: You cannot out exercise a bad diet. Eating processed foods whether they are low fat or not will actually make you fatter because most of these foods are higher on the glycemic index causing a rapid fluctuation in blood sugar, thus making your body store fat, rather than burn fat.

Strength training is the key to any fitness regime.

When you build muscle you burn more calories – period. That is why my Fit Body Boot Camp clients are so successful. We focus on strength and metabolic conditioning, in addition to a sound nutrition plan. Workouts are designed for high intensity, with resistance using bodyweight and different forms of weighted objects such as heavy medicine balls, battling ropes and dumbbells all developed into a high intensity interval training system (HIIT). This type of training develops muscle and torches body fat faster, safer, and more effective than any other system. You won’t get these results on an elliptical, treadmill, or some weight machine, or in a workout class that doesn’t use resistance. I believe you do not have to log long hours in the gym or eat food that resembles cardboard to get fit, you need a whole food nutrition plan and you need to train efficiently.

Start with two steps.

First, decide on your personal goals. Want to lose weight? Improve your golf game? Play with your children/grandchildren with greater energy and confidence? Look better at the beach? Second, give yourself enough time to achieve goals. Third, seek advice from a qualified professional.

Fitness: It’s a noun!

The condition of being physically fit and healthy. The quality of being suitable to fulfill a particular task or role. If you do it right, you’ll “be there” instead of always on a mission to “get there”.

Matt Espeut has worked as a personal trainer for almost 20 years with clients ranging in age from 14 to 86. His focus is on overall health, strength, and functional conditioning. Holistic health and nutrition is the cornerstone of all his programs. Matt works in private and small group training available at your home or office location or at gym facilities. Matt offers his services to everyone wanting to be more fit and healthy, overweight young people, youth/collegiate athletes, and seniors. Matt has worked and trained at several facilities in the Providence area. In September, Matt will open PROVIDENCE FIT BODY BOOT CAMP, at 1284 North Main St., Providence. Email Matt: [email protected]; check out his website at or on Facebook at Matt Espeut or on Twitter @MattEspeut. Call 401-453-3200 for pre-opening information.

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Photo: Snap Fitness